Skype takes on Snapchat and Instagram with stories, chatbots, and more

Why it matters to you

A slew of new social features will bring the longtime video-calling app up to modern standards.

Skype, as you knew it, is no more. The once ubiquitous video-calling app that pioneered the category has pulled a page from Snapchat and Instagram with a complete redesign that puts your phone’s camera front and center.

What’s so different about it? Well, besides the new hip user interface, the Microsoft-owned app’s big new feature is Highlights — a play on Stories, as found in those other well-known social platforms. With Highlights you can take pictures and video, dress them up as you like with sketches, stickers, and text, and blast them out to your followers.

One of the main things that sets Highlights apart from competing features found in other apps is the length of time they’re made available — one week, versus 24 hours. You also have more granular control over who you can share your Highlights with, be it specific contacts or groups.

The changes don’t end there. Skype is also putting a greater emphasis on chat. The entire messaging experience has been given a fresh coat of paint, with lots of vibrant colors and gradients. Users can now react to individual messages with emojis — and those reactions extend to video calls as well.

Speaking of video calls, they haven’t been left behind. Callers can now participate with fun, real-time animations that take up their entire share of the user’s screen. And Microsoft has big plans for Skype’s signature feature going forward, too. In the future, callers will be able to play games and watch streaming services together, according to TechCrunch.

Finally, Skype hasn’t missed the craze surrounding bots, and much like Facebook Messenger, it’s adding its own AI-powered companions. Of course you can expect Cortana to play a big role, but down the line Skype should support a variety of services and brands through its Find panel.

Microsoft says Find makes Skype “infinitely searchable.” Users can access anything from GIFs to baseball tickets through the app’s search bar, and seamlessly integrate those results into their conversations.

The new Skype will launch first on Android, rolling out over the coming weeks, and then iOS support will follow. Finally, Windows and Mac PCs should receive an update in a few months’ time.

Massive telescope will let us gaze deeper into the galaxy than ever before

Why it matters to you

The Extremely Large Telescope will give scientists unprecedented data about outer space, and help them unravel the mysteries of the universe.

The first stone for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) was laid during an opening ceremony last week in Chile. Its name isn’t pure hyperbole — the ELT will boast a main mirror measuring 128 feet in diameter, which will make it the largest telescope on Earth once complete.

But size alone won’t make the ELT unique. The telescope will be unparalleled in clarity as well.

“It is an adaptive telescope,” Niranjan Thatte, an Oxford astrophysicist who will work with the telescope, told Digital Trends. “[This] means that it has built into it a mechanism … for compensating the effects of atmospheric turbulence, allowing the telescope to deliver much sharper images than typical ground-based telescopes.”

Thatte serves as principal investigator of HAROMNI, a visible and near-infrared instrument that will be designed to snap thousands of images at once, each in a different color.

“It is a workhorse instrument, designed to carry out a large variety of science observations, from observations of planets around nearby stars, and in our own solar system, to the most distant galaxies,” Thatte said. “It will improve our understanding of how galaxies formed and evolved.”

As an integral field spectrograph, HARMONI will be capable of capturing 4,000 images simultaneously. Thatte’s research team will use these images to study distant celestial structures, like galaxies and solar systems, to determine their mass, age, and chemical makeup.

ELT is scheduled for completion in 2024. Although Thatte expects to conduct great science once it’s launched, he acknowledges that many of our most pressing questions may change in the next seven years.

“Personally, I feel that the real groundbreaking discoveries from ELT will be those that we cannot plan today – the telescope and its instruments will allow new ‘parameter space’ to be explored – observations markedly different from any that we imagine today,” he said. “It will be these unforeseen uses that will likely yield truly remarkable physical insights into the way the universe works.”

Amazon’s Alexa can now keep track of upcoming tasks and countdown timers

Why it matters to you

If you’re the forgetful type, good news: Alexa can now remember some things for you.

Amazon’s Alexa, the artificially intelligent voice assistant with thousands of apps and skills, cannot do everything. It is not particularly good at understanding natural language — that is to say, commands that are not precise or specific. And until now, it has not been able to store reminders or label countdown timers. But in an update on Thursday, Alexa is getting better.

Alexa will now remind you of tasks at the time you specify. Saying, “Alexa, remind me to take out the trash at 6 p.m.” will schedule an alert for later in the day. Alternatively, you can set a reminder for a particular day (“Alexa, remind me to by toilet paper on June 15”) or day of the week (“Alexa, remind me to buy a Father’s Day gift on Friday”) — the choice is up to you.

Alexa’s reminders are not perfect. As The Verge points out, there is no context for a.m./p.m. reminders, so you have to include the abbreviation. Unlike Google’s Assistant, you can’t set a recurring reminder or specify a location in lieu of a time — Alexa does not understand commands like, “Remind me to buy groceries when I get home.” And reminders are not synced across Alexa-enabled devices — you will not hear a reminder set on one of Amazon’s Echo speakers come from another Echo speaker and there is no way to sync reminders with third-party services like Evernote and Todoist.

But otherwise, the reminder functionality’s roughly on par with competition like Apple’s Siri.

There is an easier way to distinguish between multiple timers now, too: Names. After the update hits your Echo, you will be able to say, “Alexa, set a chicken breast timer for 30 minutes” and, “Alexa, set a baked potato timer. The next time you ask, “Alexa, how much time is left on the chicken breast timer,” or cancel a timer by name (“Alexa, cancel the chicken breast timer,”) you will get the result you want.

The new reminder and timer features come after the announcement of iCloud support in Alexa — its first integration with an Apple service — and Alexa Calling, which lets you call and message any Alexa user in your phone’s contact list.

And it follows on the heels of new developer-centric improvements like Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) tags that let app creators control Alexa’s intonations — including whispers, expletive bleeps, and emphasis — a bit better than before.

There is a good reason for all the improvements — Apple is expected to announce a Siri-powered smart speaker at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. Amazon, no doubt, wants to make sure its upcoming Echo Show measures up to the competition.

The new reminder and timer features are rolling out to users in the U.K. and Germany this month.

Facebook Albums expands beyond photos with text, check-ins, and video

Why it matters to you

Albums will offer far more than photos in the future. Watch for the ability to add videos, text, and check-ins with the update that begins rolling out June 1.

Facebook is updating its photo albums — only the word “photo” is no longer quite the right one. Today, June 1, Facebook began rolling out updates to Albums that allows users to include videos, text and check-ins as well as the usual photos.

The update allows users to put more than just photos into one place, organizing a collection of memories around a certain topic. By moving beyond just photos, the platform makes it possible to share road-trip check-ins and text posts along with photos and videos from the same trip in one album.

Along with the expanded content types, users can now follow (and unfollow) albums. Unlike a single status update, albums are designed to gather related content over time into one central location, but album updates sometimes have a tendency to get overlooked in the news feed.  The new follow feature allows users to make sure they see everything added to that album. Notifications can be turned on and off, with the posts still popping up in the News Feed for any followed albums.

Albums also no longer need to be sourced just from one person. Users can invite collaborators to add their own content, so group trips, for example, can be shared by the entire group.

Favorite albums can also be highlighted inside users’ profiles by tagging albums as a favorite, which lists the collection directly on the profile. Favorite albums are required to use the public privacy setting.

The process for creating an album isn’t changing — users can still navigate to Photos from their page and click “create album.” Albums continue to maintain the long-term format, with the ability to add new content to the same album later on.

Facebook says the update is designed to give users more ways to share their memories on the social media platform.

Some Android and desktop users will already see the new additions as the rollout begins today, June 1. While iOS users will have to wait for the new Album features, Facebook says the update is coming soon.

Ooh, shiny! Sony may be launching a gold-colored PS4 Slim ahead of E3

Why it matters to you

If you still miss your gold N64 controller from the GoldenEye bundle, you can recapture that colorful magic with this upcoming PS4 release.

Sony may be set to launch a brand-new color scheme for the PS4 Slim a few days before E3, and it’s rather eye catching. An alleged Target employee claims to have snapped a picture of a gold-painted version of the console. It’s not been confirmed by Sony in any capacity, but we’re told that the systems are set to go on sale in just over a week.

Although most consoles from all the major manufacturers have almost always had a base color of either black or white, there have been many custom paint jobs and special editions of the different systems available over the years. Although gaudy to some, gold is one scheme that has come up time and again and it looks like Sony may be offering a special version of its system with that choice of aesthetic, too.

While this remains a rumor for now, a claimed employee of Target has posted an image of the gold console. They corroborate the story that this is indeed a PS4 Slim and not a PS4 Pro, and that it comes with a gold controller. Redditor Sliye claims that you will also be able to buy gold controllers separately.

The validity of the console’s existence was backed up by another Redditor who allegedly snapped a picture of the Gold PS4 Slim at a Walmart before the stock was rushed away behind closed doors. The price tag on the gold 1TB PS4 Slim was $250.

It’s not clear whether the new system will be launching worldwide or only in the United States, but we do know that it’s likely to hit store shelves in early June. The claimed date so far is June 9, which would be a pre-E3 launch and therefore not something that would likely be mentioned at the show.

That’s not wholly surprising though, as a custom color version of a pre-existing console is rather a small story for a big stage show like E3.

Sony previously made limited edition gold PS4 available in the U.S. as part of a campaign it ran with Taco Bell (as per Gamespot). If the Walmart image is as real as the Target one, this latest release appears not to be linked with a specific retailer.

Logitech ushers in two flagship mice and software for controlling three PCs

Why it matters to you

Not only has Logitech released two new flagship wireless mice, but software to make controlling multiple PCs easier. Moving data just got easier too.

Logitech introduced three new products on Thursday, one of which is software enabling users to control up to three computers with a single mouse. The other two products are next-generation “MX” mice that can be used on any surface, even glass.

MX Master 2S

This mouse connects to the host PC through the included USB-based Logitech Unifying Receiver, or by way of Bluetooth. This is combined with Logitech’s Easy-Switch technology supporting up to three devices on one PC. Users simply press a button on one of the three devices to use it.

The optical sensor is based on Logitech’s “Darkfield” tracking technology, which is what helps the mouse track movements on glass-like surfaces. According to Logitech, it improved this technology for better cursor speed and accuracy. It also raised the tracking resolution up to 4,000 dots per inch (DPI) for better precision on any display.

Other notable features include a large thumb rest, a thumbwheel for scrolling side-to-side, and a “speed-adaptive” scroll wheel that automatically shifts from hyper-fast scrolling to click-to-click. A USB port resides at the front for recharging the internal battery.

Here are the specifications:

DPI range:
200 to 4,000 (increments of 50)
Battery life:
Up to 70 days
Battery type:
Li-Po 500 mAh
Charge time:
3 minutes
Number of buttons:
7
Gesture button:
Yes
Scroll wheel:
With Auto-Shift
Special buttons:
Back/Forward
Middle click
LEDs:
1x battery status
3x Easy-Switch
Wireless operating distance:
32 feet
Wireless technology:
2.4GHz
Bluetooth technology:
Low Energy
Size (inches):
3.4 (H) x 5.0 x 2.0 (D)
Weight:
5.1 ounces
Colors:
Graphite
Midnight Teal
Light Grey
Price:
$100

MX Anywhere 2S

This is a cheaper, compact alternative to the MX Master 2S, meaning it does not include the protruding thumb rest and thumb wheel. It is more of a portable solution meant for hotel stays, coffee shops, and cramped airplanes. However, like the MX Master 2S, it’s based on Logitech’s improved Darkfield technology.

DPI range:
200 to 4,000 (increments of 50)
Battery life:
Up to 70 days
Battery type:
Li-Po 500 mAh
Charge time:
3 minutes
Number of buttons:
7
Gesture button:
Yes
Scroll wheel:
With SmartShift
LEDs:
1x battery status
3x Easy-Switch
Special buttons:
Back/Forward
Middle click
Tilt wheel
Wireless operating distance:
32 feet
Wireless technology:
2.4GHz
Bluetooth technology:
Low Energy
Size (inches):
2.43 (H) x 3.95 x 1.35 (D)
Weight:
3.74 ounces
Colors:
Graphite
Midnight Teal
Light Grey
Price:
$80

Logitech Flow

Logitech’s new software enables one mouse to control up to three Windows and MacOS-based PCs. On top of that, it enables users to share text, images, and files across all three PCs by performing the typical “copy” command on one PC, and the “paste” command on another. According to Logitech, there is no cloud service involved with the data transfers. To work correctly, all three PCs must have the software installed and reside on the same wireless/wired network.

Here are the compatible devices:

Mice
Keyboards
MX Master 2S
K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard
MX Anywhere 2S
K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
Multi-Device M585
K375s Multi-Device
M720 Triathlon
MK850 Performance
M590 Multi-Device Silent

Logitech Flow is available now while the two mice will be made available sometime in June.

Logitech ushers in two flagship mice and software for controlling three PCs

Why it matters to you

Not only has Logitech released two new flagship wireless mice, but software to make controlling multiple PCs easier. Moving data just got easier too.

Logitech introduced three new products on Thursday, one of which is software enabling users to control up to three computers with a single mouse. The other two products are next-generation “MX” mice that can be used on any surface, even glass.

MX Master 2S

This mouse connects to the host PC through the included USB-based Logitech Unifying Receiver, or by way of Bluetooth. This is combined with Logitech’s Easy-Switch technology supporting up to three devices on one PC. Users simply press a button on one of the three devices to use it.

The optical sensor is based on Logitech’s “Darkfield” tracking technology, which is what helps the mouse track movements on glass-like surfaces. According to Logitech, it improved this technology for better cursor speed and accuracy. It also raised the tracking resolution up to 4,000 dots per inch (DPI) for better precision on any display.

Other notable features include a large thumb rest, a thumbwheel for scrolling side-to-side, and a “speed-adaptive” scroll wheel that automatically shifts from hyper-fast scrolling to click-to-click. A USB port resides at the front for recharging the internal battery.

Here are the specifications:

DPI range:
200 to 4,000 (increments of 50)
Battery life:
Up to 70 days
Battery type:
Li-Po 500 mAh
Charge time:
3 minutes
Number of buttons:
7
Gesture button:
Yes
Scroll wheel:
With Auto-Shift
Special buttons:
Back/Forward
Middle click
LEDs:
1x battery status
3x Easy-Switch
Wireless operating distance:
32 feet
Wireless technology:
2.4GHz
Bluetooth technology:
Low Energy
Size (inches):
3.4 (H) x 5.0 x 2.0 (D)
Weight:
5.1 ounces
Colors:
Graphite
Midnight Teal
Light Grey
Price:
$100

MX Anywhere 2S

This is a cheaper, compact alternative to the MX Master 2S, meaning it does not include the protruding thumb rest and thumb wheel. It is more of a portable solution meant for hotel stays, coffee shops, and cramped airplanes. However, like the MX Master 2S, it’s based on Logitech’s improved Darkfield technology.

DPI range:
200 to 4,000 (increments of 50)
Battery life:
Up to 70 days
Battery type:
Li-Po 500 mAh
Charge time:
3 minutes
Number of buttons:
7
Gesture button:
Yes
Scroll wheel:
With SmartShift
LEDs:
1x battery status
3x Easy-Switch
Special buttons:
Back/Forward
Middle click
Tilt wheel
Wireless operating distance:
32 feet
Wireless technology:
2.4GHz
Bluetooth technology:
Low Energy
Size (inches):
2.43 (H) x 3.95 x 1.35 (D)
Weight:
3.74 ounces
Colors:
Graphite
Midnight Teal
Light Grey
Price:
$80

Logitech Flow

Logitech’s new software enables one mouse to control up to three Windows and MacOS-based PCs. On top of that, it enables users to share text, images, and files across all three PCs by performing the typical “copy” command on one PC, and the “paste” command on another. According to Logitech, there is no cloud service involved with the data transfers. To work correctly, all three PCs must have the software installed and reside on the same wireless/wired network.

Here are the compatible devices:

Mice
Keyboards
MX Master 2S
K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard
MX Anywhere 2S
K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
Multi-Device M585
K375s Multi-Device
M720 Triathlon
MK850 Performance
M590 Multi-Device Silent

Logitech Flow is available now while the two mice will be made available sometime in June.

In a world of ordinary wallpapers, these are Wonder Woman wallpapers!

“In a world of ordinary men, I am Wonder Woman!”

Batman seems to get a new movie every few years, and Superman gets a new movie frequently enough. There’s a new superhero movie every three or four months, it seems, but the only time a female superhero gets anywhere near top billing is during ensemble films like Avengers. We haven’t had a female superhero get their own live-action movie, and that streak ends at midnight with the release of DC’s Wonder Woman.

Even better, Wonder Woman actually looks like it might be a good film.

Wonder Woman was a comic book hero that was introduced as an American icon, and so even though she was the daughter of demigods and Greek warrior queens, Wonder Woman’s colors are red, white, and blue. And in an homage to that history, DeviantArt user Superman 8193 has taken some poses by David Despau, artfully done them up with some splashes of patriotic colors, and gifted them to us for a beautiful wallpaper that takes exceptionally well to theming.

David Despau – Wonder Woman 2 by Superman8193

Wonder Woman is a symbol of power and strength, while simultaneously a symbol of feminine beauty and this wallpaper is a testament to that beauty and grace. The golden hour glow, the wind blowing her jacket around like a cape, and her lasso in her hands… this is captivating, and casts Diana Prince as a goddess in her own right, lithe and ethereal.

Wonder Woman by iumazark

I’m not sure which battle Wonder Woman is in the middle of here, but with the sunset behind her, her raven hair impossibly framing her face. The strokes of this painting add a depth and a rough frenzy to what must be a frenzied scene and make her absolutely irresistible. This is an ideal I can spend the rest of my life reaching towards: a woman who has taken it upon herself to fight for what is good and a woman who has accepted and embraced herself and her destiny.

Wonder Woman by KoweRallen

Wonder Woman is a superhero, she’s fast enough to stop bullets with her magical gauntlets, she can go toe-to-toe with gods and monsters and Superman, when she has to. Her badassery has not stopped her from being something of a sexual object — for both sexes — and while Wonder Woman might find a pin-up pose like this somewhat demeaning, I find it empowering. Here is a magnificent woman who has remarkable strength, remarkable beauty… and she is going to take that expertly coiled lasso and make you spill your guts if you keep staring like that.

Wonder Woman by Gabriel-Cassata

Despite being an American superhero with red, white, and blue all over her uniform and her history, Diana Prince is a daughter of Themyscira, an Amazon paradise that looks like a throwback to Ancient Greece. Nothing shows that contrast more than putting the star-spangled hero in front of her home’s natural beauty. Diana is all bright colors and daring angles, and she sticks out like a sore thumb, even if this nature is what she grew up with, what she feel completely comfortable with.

trinquette challenge XVII by gelipe

Microsoft has redesigned Skype with new ‘Snapchat-like’ features

Android users will get the first look at the redesigned Skype app.

Since acquiring Skype six years ago, Microsoft has done a good job taking over the ongoing development of the popular video calling service, adding new features for both Skype and Skype for Business over the years. Today, Microsoft announced its biggest update to Skype yet, offering a trendy new design with new features to help you connect and share moments with friends like never before — assuming you’ve never used Snapchat or Instagram Stories, that is. You can check out the preview of the new app in the Google Play Store.

Microsoft has completely overhauled Skype, with the mobile app offering users three tabs to choose from at the top: Find, Chat, and Capture. The “Find” tab allows you to use plug-ins to search for concert tickets, recipes, and a whole slew of other things, then conveniently share the information in a chat with your friends or family all without leaving the app. “Chat” has also been given a fresh, trendy coat of paint, as Microsoft seems to have liberally borrowed popular features from other messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and iMessage.

But arguably the biggest addition is the “Capture” tab, which appears to function very similarly to Snapchat or Instagram Stories. Tapping the “Capture” tab will instantly launch the camera and allow you to capture a photo or video clip of whatever you’re doing, let you slap a few emojis on it and then share with your friends or add to your “highlights” for others to check out later.

Video calling, which now feels like a secondary Skype feature, has also been upgraded to allow you to share photos, messages, emojis and stickers in real-time in one-on-one or group video calls. All these features will start rolling out to Android users first in a new update before becoming available across all other platforms.

You can learn more about the new Skype features and then head on over to the Google Play Store to see if the new update is available for you.

This seems like a move by Microsoft to try and rebrand Skype to appeal to Millennials, who apparently want Snapchat features in every app on their phone. What do you think of the new Skype? Let us know in the comments.

Samsung’s Connect Home smart mesh Wi-Fi system will be available July 2, starting at $169 each

Another smart home mesh Wi-Fi solution for you to consider.

Samsung’s new mesh Wi-Fi solution, the Connect Home, was announced back with the Galaxy S8 and S8+ but was understandably overshadowed by the flagship phones. Now a couple months removed from the hype, the Connect Home is finally getting a price and launch date. Best Buy is the exclusive launch partner for the system, and pre-orders will open up on June 4 for a launch on July 2 — a nationwide retail launch will then kick off on July 16.

Like other mesh router solutions, the Connect Home can be purchased as a single unit, for $169.99 each, or in a three-pack for $379.99. There’s also a “Pro” version for “high bandwidth demands” that sets you back $249 and offers 4×4 MIMO and a faster processor.

At its core, the Connect Home system is a mesh Wi-Fi experience. A single unit is designed to cover up to 1500 sq ft, and a three-pack 4500 sq ft. The goal is “fast, reliable Wi-Fi coverage for every room in a home.” Up to five units can be connected together for 7500 sq ft of coverage in a single network.

The big differentiator is SmartThings compatibility.

Samsung’s charging a higher price than the Google Wifi but lands below well-regarded systems like the Eero. For the money, Samsung is attempting to offer more than just a Wi-Fi solution, though — Connect Home also functions as a SmartThings hub for your smart home. That means any SmartThings-compatible devices you own can be routed through the network automatically, without the addition of a separate Hub that would normally need to be plugged in to your non-Samsung router.

SmartThings compatibility with no additional setup may be a big deal for anyone who wants to get started with their smart home setup now and hasn’t yet invested in a hub or a fancy mesh Wi-Fi system. But as far as just the networking aspect goes, Samsung may have a bit of an uphill battle fighting the set of well-known names already in the market.

Samsung offers a whole lot of information on the Connect Home over on its product website.

Press release:

Samsung Embarks on New Era of Whole Home Automation with the Launch of Samsung Connect Home Smart Wi-Fi System

All-in-one Whole Home Wi-Fi and SmartThings Hub Offers Ultimate Home Control for Today’s Families

Available for Pre-order Exclusively at Best Buy on June 4; launching nationwide July 16th

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – June 1, 2017 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced Samsung Connect Home will be available exclusively for pre-order on BestBuy.com starting June 4. Samsung Connect Home is the industry’s first Smart Wi-Fi System to combine fast, reliable Wi-Fi coverage for every room in a home with Samsung’s industry-leading smart home platform, Samsung SmartThings.

The Samsung Connect Home Smart Wi-Fi System is available as a three-pack or single. Ideal for homes up to 4,500 square feet, the three-pack has an MSRP of $379.99. A single Connect Home is for homes up to 1,500 square feet and has an MSRP of $169.99. For homes with high bandwidth demands for gaming, streaming or home offices, a single Samsung Connect Home Pro is available at an MSRP of $249.99. A consumer can connect up to five Samsung Connect Home devices at once.

“Today’s smart homes have the power to deliver simple and efficient automation, but as families stream more content and buy more connected devices, it’s a struggle to get fast, reliable and extendable Wi-Fi coverage,” said Bill Lee, Vice President, Smart Home Product Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “With Samsung Connect Home, we’re redefining the whole home network to finally offer families a simple solution that expands Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home while offering the ability to monitor, automate and control smart devices using Samsung SmartThings. All of this with just a few taps on a smartphone.”

Samsung Connect Home Features

• Works As A SmartThings Hub – Samsung Connect Home is the only whole-home Wi-Fi system that works as a SmartThings Hub, making it compatible with hundreds of Works With SmartThings devices. With no monthly fees or subscriptions, Samsung SmartThings makes it easy to automate and manage your smart home, and gives you the flexibility to expand your smart home with lights, door locks, cameras, voice assistants, thermostats and more.
• Expandable mesh Wi-Fi network – Samsung Connect Home is easily expandable. Each router has a range of 1,500 square feet, and users can wirelessly connect up to five Samsung Connect Home devices for mesh network coverage of 7,500 square feet.
• Safe & secure – Consumers can rest easy knowing that Samsung Connect Home is protected by hardware-based security technologies. Automatic firmware updates provide additional safeguards to keep smart devices secure.
• Simple setup and unified management – Samsung Connect Home can be set up with easy-to-follow instructions using the Samsung Connect app. The app will guide placement of each Samsung Connect Home device throughout a home for optimal performance. Samsung Connect simplifies smart device management with automatic connectivity, convenient device integration and easy set-up. Using Samsung Connect, users can easily see and manage connected devices, set parental controls and allow guest access.
• Compact design – Samsung Connect Home replaces larger, antenna-laden routers with a simple, sleek and compact design that can be placed anywhere and everywhere in the home, even in plain sight.

“As we work with customers in stores and in their homes, we know how important it is to have fast, secure and reliable whole-home Wi-Fi, especially with more smart devices now connecting to the web,” said Mary Ortizcazarin, Vice President of Smart Home at Best Buy. “Samsung’s Connect Home Smart Wi-Fi System accomplishes this with strong Wi-Fi access in every corner of the home, and as a hub for the rest of your smart home.”